Though the attendance level at the country cousin can be roughly 10,000-20,000 less than Coachella, it still seems like a whole lot more. People arrive earlier and, with their chairs and blankets, stake their claim to a prime spot on the expanse leading away from the Mane stage and its huge reserved seating section, which is often half-empty until nightfall. For those who want to sample the equally stellar action on two smaller stages throughout the day, it's nearly impossible to have a decent view of the top-tier action from late afternoon onward.

Another key difference between the festivals is that alcohol consumption appears to begin at sunrise for many folks at Stagecoach. While waiting in a long, slow line of traffic getting into the venue and making a lengthy trek to the entrance, every other group of festival-goers hauled 12-packs of beer and ice chests around. (Where they would actually be able to imbibe was a mystery.) I also saw plenty of young women pass by in matching American flag bikinis or the same color T-shirts to promote their organizations.

There are polite musicians in every music genre, but country acts here tended to ask “do you mind if I play a new song?” rather than stating what they'll do next, as rock, rap, hip-hop and dance stars tend to do. Since both children and grandparents are among these Stagecoachers, a friendlier all-around attitude is present overall. One older woman could be heard exuberantly greeting her “neighbor” as she spread out a big blanket on the grass. Later, while sitting on a bale of hay in the Mustang tent, two young guys inquired whether they could move one clump beside me (though I'm sure the sound crew didn't like their barriers being taken apart).

Come sundown, however, the Empire Polo Field didn't have the same magical luster it does during Coachella, given that fest's brightly-lighted art installations, searchlights, balloons and more. Still, there was plenty to savor on Saturday -- and I'm not talking about the wealth of BBQ competition delights, either.

Dozens of new shows are going on sale this weekend but a majority of the biggest ones were already announced weeks ago. So let's start with a few that are brand spankin' new.

Thought Kings of Leon's Coachella set would be the quartet's last appearance for a while? Think again. They still have their fifth album (Come Around Sundown) to promote, which they will do via a summer tour that launches in the South in July and reaches Southern California right around Labor Day. With Band of Horses as supporting act, the Kings will play Sept. 4 at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre in Chula Vista and Sept. 8 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. Check back for on-sale info.

Meanwhile, Maroon 5 and Train have teamed for a co-headlining outing that kicks off July 22 at Cricket and stops July 25 at the Hollywood Bowl. Gavin DeGraw will open. Tickets for the Chula Vista show, $32-$92.50, are on sale Saturday at 10 a.m., while the Bowl gig, $25.50-$105.50, goes on sale Monday at 10 a.m.

And though we've been lax in reporting this -- put it down to post-Coachella fatigue -- by now you've likely heard that Rage Against the Machine will once more resurface to play somewhere in the greater Los Angeles area on July 30, in a bill also including Muse and Rise Against. More details when we know 'em.

September 26th, 2010, 4:30 pm by KELLI HART KEHLER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Still drawing momentum from the May release of their third full-length release, Infinite Arms, North Carolina's Band of Horses hypnotized fans at the Greek Theatre Saturday night with a captivating performance.

Seemingly a solidified quintet now -- led by singer-songwriter Ben Bridwell, the group had a revolving-door lineup for its first two acclaimed albums, Everything All the Time (2006) and Cease to Begin (2007) -- the group took the stage for its debut at this hallowed L.A. venue as a unified front that recorded a disc together, then set out to tour behind it. That's a regularity for most outfits, but for Band of Horses -- including drummer Creighton Barrett, guitarist Tyler Ramsey, bassist Bill Reynolds and Ryan Monroe on keyboards and vocals -- presenting itself as a clearly defined ensemble is both rare and a long-awaited triumph.

Nestled into a woodsy alcove of Griffith Park, the venue's ambiance enhanced the band's performance, laced with bluegrass and backwoods tendencies, until it felt purely ethereal. The night began with “The Great Salt Lake,” from Everything All the Time and “Is There a Ghost,” the first single from Cease to Begin, but then, baring its country roots, the group launched into fan favorite “The General Specific,” bringing forth a knee-slapping Carolina feel.

Bridwell ditched his guitar for a tambourine and a cigarette, pouring his passion into the crowd like a Southern gentleman with a crooked smile. Later, “Older” and “Compliments,” both from the latest album, floated over the amphitheater while still wielding plenty of energy, Band of Horses proving that even its slower songs can be driven with vigor.

“This is the third night in a row playing outdoors,” Bridwell told folks in these tree-cocooned seats. “This is glorious.”

September 23rd, 2010, 11:04 am by BEN WENER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Summer may have just ended but you wouldn't know it from the concert calendar – there are so many shows in the next 10 days, you'd think it were the thick of July.

In addition to previews we've just posted about this weekend's Epicenter Twenty Ten festival in Fontana and next week's Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper's Gruesome Twosome Tour stop at Gibson Amphitheatre, we have interviews coming up with Zac Brown Band (Sunday at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, with Robert Randolph & the Family Band) plus the return of Pete Yorn (Tuesday at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano) -- and I'd mention Rancid has two benefit shows at the Music Box in Hollywood Friday and Saturday if they weren't already sold out. But there's plenty more on the way to consider.

• Muse -- A little more than five months after making an impressive headlining debut at Coachella, Matthew Bellamy (right) and his English mates in this prog-rock trio return for a string of Southern California dates that kicked off Wednesday night at Viejas Arena in San Diego and continues with tonight's biggest-ever O.C. appearance from the band, at Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., in Anaheim. Tickets are $47.15-$77.85. Then they group moves to Los Angeles for two nights (Saturday and Sunday) at Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., $35-$65. Passion Pit opens all dates. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com

• The Week at the Greek -- As October beckons, the best venue in Southern California is starting to wind down – but not without hosting a few more rare gems and old reliables. Willie Nelson & Family appear Friday night, with Oscar winner Ryan Bingham and his band the Dead Horses opening, $50.65-$88.50. Seattle's Band of Horses, touring behind their excellent third album Infinite Arms, headline the amphitheater for the first time Saturday night, with Admiral Radley and the often great L.A. band Darker My Love opening, $40.90-$48.60. Come Wednesday it's an evening with the Dukes of September Rhythm, teaming Steely Dan's Donald Fagen with Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, $50.65-$120.40. And then Train pulls into the Greek on Thursday, with Needtobreathe in tow, $40.95-$50.65. On the horizon after that: Dane Cook, Oct. 1-2; Van Morrison, Oct. 5; Maroon 5, Oct. 8-9; Widespread Panic, Oct. 22; Interpol, Oct. 23. 800-745-3000. greektheatrela.com, ticketmaster.com

• Sara Bareilles -- The singer-songwriter of the Grammy-nominated “Love Song” (left) has returned to mixed reviews with her third album, the just-released Kaleidoscope Heart, selections from which will surely be the focus of her show Tuesday night at the Orpheum Theatre, 642 S. Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are $38.45-$46.20. Noted singer-songwriters Greg Laswell and Javier Dunn will open. That lineup also plays Wednesday at House of Blues San Diego, 1055 5th Ave., $31.45. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com

Note: Barring any crazy/breaking news we should address, this will be it for Soundcheck this week. Post-Coachella/Stagecoach, Ben will be taking some time off.

Why do I think earlier this week, when the show announcement was made, Parrotheads from Stanton to San Clemente said all at once: "Well, it's about time!"

Not that Jimmy Buffett ever fails to bring his party back to Irvine -- he's here just about every year. But the wait this season to find out when he'll return seems to have taken a little longer than usual.

Of course, now the wait really begins: Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band won't arrive to play Verizon Wireless Amphitheater until Oct. 21. Tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. Prices aren't up on Ticketmaster as I write this, but I'd anticipate they'd be around $40 for lawn, $140 for orchestra.

Also, I wouldn't expect a second date: the Tuesday show of that week is in Portland, Ore., and the Saturday gig is at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (As all Parrotheads know, Buffett only plays on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He even used that for the title of his 1999 live album.)

Gibson Amphitheatre and the Greek Theatre revealed the rosters for their Premier Marquee Club, the venues' annual joint subscriber series, and as usual it's loaded up with rare encounters along with plenty of old reliables.

Which offerings are the most tantalizing depends on what sort of concert-goer you are -- the entire list of shows can be viewed at the end of this post -- but many that stand out immediately are several headed to the Greek, including:

Spanish tenor Jose Carreras' first appearance at the amphitheater in 15 years, with full orchestra, June 26

February 16th, 2010, 11:02 pm by BEN WENER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Let's start on the Latin-pop tip for a change, seeing as one of the scene's biggest attractions of the season -- the Los Tres Tour, uniting mega-stars Joan Sebastian, Alejandro Fernandez and Marco Antonio Solis (right) -- now has two dates, April 9-10, coming up at Honda Center. Tickets for April 9 go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.; tickets for April 10 are on sale now. Price: $55.85-$219.95.

Also of note in la musica en Español: Ramon Ayala, April 17 at Gibson Amphitheatre, with La Apuesta, on sale Friday at 1 p.m.

Speaking of Club Nokia, the L.A. Live venue will host the Revolver Golden Gods awards on April 8, this year slated to feature appearances from Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, As I Lay Dying, the Devil Wears Prada and more. Tickets, $37.50 for general admission, $100 for VIP, are on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

On a funnier note at that club, comedian Mike Epps will perform two shows (7:30 and 10:30) on April 16, $19.50-$50 ... and the Dan Band returns April 2, $19.75-$30.25. Both are on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

January 16th, 2010, 5:47 pm by ROBERT KINSLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

There was a time not so many years ago when only a few big stars showed up at NAMM, primarily to promote new signature instruments by signing autographs. Rarely were there full-fledged shows until at after-hours private parties and concerts.

Not any more.

Now, no NAMM would be complete without a varied bevy of well-known musicians performing both announced and surprise shows. Already the convention, running all weekend in Anaheim, has drawn a who's-who of big names and rising stars: As noted in my Day 1 report, Taylor Guitars hosted several daytime shows Thursday, including sets from Serj Tankian of System of a Down, acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Doyle Dykes and up-and-coming country rockers Love and Theft.

On Friday, the Taylor sage hosted just as many high-profile shows. I didn't catch Jason Mraz's set -- though I did see him later that night, read more about that here -- but several attendees suggested I should catch Night Ranger. And though this isn't 1985, I'm very glad I did, for after Night Ranger performed a strong 40-minute acoustic set, highlighted by versions of “(You Can Still) Rock in America” and “Sister Christian,” there came a surprise appearance from Damn Yankees, reuniting the late '80s/early '90s supergroup of Ted Nugent, Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Michael Cartellone for the first time since an ill-fated attempt to record a new album (Bravo) in 1998.

September 29th, 2009, 7:06 pm by BEN WENER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

At this point, hours after they went on sale, both nights are sold out -- but let's at least acknowledge that early this morning Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke announced two shows (Oct. 4-5) at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Yorke, who has been spotted around Hollywood lately (including a surprise DJ set at the Roosevelt Hotel), will debut a new group at the gigs, with Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers on bass, sometime Beck time-keeper Joey Waronker on drums, longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich on a variety of items and Mauro Refosco, known for his work with David Byrne, on percussion.

Primarily the shows will be a means for Yorke to bring songs from his solo album The Eraser to life, as well as tackle his latest solo tracks, "FeelingPulledApartByHorses" and "The Hollow Earth," recently issued as a 12-inch single. Radiohead also has dropped a pair of new cuts, "Harry Patch (In Memory Of)" and "These Are My Twisted Words."

With each new Coachella, I find, the first question most attendees ask is: "Can I afford to go?" It isn't just tickets to consider, it's also the cost of securing accommodations, whether camping in the scorching sun or crawling back to hotels with jacked-up rates.

With Street Scene, the weekend bash that returns for its 25th year on Aug. 28-29, the main concern shifts to: "Is the lineup any good?" The overall cost is rarely extravagant. There are more than enough cheap places to stay nearby, and for the time being a weekend pass is only $122. (Expect that price to rise as the event gets closer, however.)

So ... uh ... is the lineup any good?

Yeah, not bad at all.

The ubiquitous Black Eyed Peas, already slated to play Pacific Amphitheatre on Aug. 7 and open for U2 at the Rose Bowl in late October, are listed first (no determination yet of who plays which day). That's not very compelling, but much of the rest of the top tier is, including Coachella stars M.I.A. and Thievery Corporation as well as Modest Mouse, the Dead Weather, Cake and a load of recent Indio attractions: Silversun Pickups, Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band, Band of Horses, Girl Talk, MSTRKRFT(not playing, scheduling conflict), Mastodon, Devendra Banhart and Calexico.